Platform for off shore drilling and supporting columns therefor



A ril 17, 1962 Filed Dec. 28, 1956 s. PERKINS PLATFORM FOR OFF SHORE DRILLING AND SUPPORTING COLUMNS THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 66 z T 3 I,

ATTORNEY Aprll 17, 1962 s. PERKINS 3,029,608

PLATFORM FOR OFF SHORE DRILLING AND SUPPORTING COLUMNS THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 28, 1956 O I #93?- 59 3 $4 .31 H 6/ 3 I I4! 55 26 59 26 22 57 58 w 5 *5. 66 63 25:5 73 44 1 6'3 62 I INVENTOR; fifar/my Per/rm:

April 17, 1962 s. PERKINS PLATFORM FOR OFF SHORE DRILLING AND SUPPORTING COLUMNS THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 28, 1956 INVENTOQ.

ATTORNEY 3,029,608 PLATFORM FOR OFF SHORE DRILLING AND SUPPORTING COLUMNS THEREFOR Starling Perkins, Box 77, Choutean, Okla., assignor of one-half to Beulah Perkins, Chouteau, Okla. Filed Dec. 28, 1956, Ser. No. 631,273 5 Claims. (Cl. 61-465) This invention relates to offshore drilling platforms for carrying a drilling rig and related apurtenances for drilling offshore Wells, and has for its principal object to provide a platform of this character adapted for support on the ocean floor by means of columns, each composed of buoyant and pile sections, that may be set up off barges or on shore and loaded onto barges, to be towed to the drilling site, where they are readily sunk to a perpendicular position for carrying the working platform above the action of the waves.

The invention further contemplates buoyant columns which may be set up on end by taking in water in such manner that the columns sink to vertical position with the pile sections ready to be settled into the ocean bed.

Other objects of the invention are to provide columns 7 adapted for partial support onthe ocean floor by means of shoes and by the pile sections which anchor the columns and resist shifting of the shoes by washing of the soil or under action of the waves and storms; to provide the columns with shoes that are buoyant to cooperate with buoyant upper portions of the columns in controlling the movement thereof to bring the points of the pile sections of the columns into position for effecting penetration thereof into the ocean floor; to provide the columns with vibrating mechanisms that act in conjunction with hydraulic jets for sinking the pile portions to bring the shoes into bearing contact with the ocean floor; and to provide each column with hydraulic jack means for leveling the working platform.

Another object of the invention is to provide a column arrangement for supporting a platform having circular tracks to support the drilling rig, whereby the drilling rig may be moved on the track for drilling a number of wells about the axis of the platform.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a drilling platform and column supports that are of simple construction and easily and quickly installed, and which may be readily withdrawn and moved to other sites, if desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a column structure adapted to various diameters and lengths, and which, While a platform capable of mounting a circular track is preferable, is adapted to other shapes of platforms from which one or more Wells may be drilled.

Another object of the invention is to provide columns having spaces to serve the purpose of service and storage tanks after the drilling has been completed.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved structure, the preferred column.

FIG. 3 is a modified form of one of the outer or corner columns.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the platform and column arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross section through the center column on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross section through the jet end of the ice piling section of the column taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross section on the line 7-7 of FIG. 2. I

FIG. 8 is a cross section on the line 88 of FIG. 3.

Referring more in' detail to the drawings:

1 designates a preferred embodiment of the invention and includes columns 2 for supporting a working platform 3 from the ocean floor 4 andabove the action of the Waves. In the illustrated instance (FIGS. 1 and 4), the platform 3 is of rectangular shape and includes outer trusses 56 and 7-8 to form the sides thereof, diagonal trusses 9 and 10, and longitudinal and transverse trusses 11 and 12, all connected together in accordance with standard methods well known to structural steel and erection engineers. The formation of the trusses is, of course, dependent upon the distance to be spanned and the weight to be carried thereby, but for simplicity are here illustrated as comprising I-beams 13 with the upper flanges 14 thereof carrying a flooring 15 and inner and outer concentric circular rails 16 and 17. The rails 16 and 17 provide a circular track upon which the drilling rig 18 is mounted for movement about a central axis, whereby a plurality of wells may be drilled by moving the. drilling rig to different positions on the track.

In the illustrated instance (FIGS. 1 and 4), the col- 7 umns 2 for supporting the platform 3 are five in number,

" may be used in larger sized platforms, and where greater weights are to be supported. It is also obvious that the columns may be spaced different distances apart and in position to support the loads that are applied on the platform.

Each column (see FIGS. 1 and 2) includes a pillar or main section 21, a shoe or base section 22, and a pile section 23. The pillar sections 21 each have a cylindrical wall 2-4 (FIG. 5) closed at the lower ends by a plate 25 connected thereto by leakproof seams. The pillar sections are open at the upper ends to accommodate telescoping head sections 26 that are 'adjustably movable within the open ends of the pillar sections to support and level the platform 3, as later to be described. If necessary, the pillar sections 21 may be composed of a plurality of interconnected segments 27, each having end flanges 28 whereby the joints are connected together by fastening devices such as bolts 29 that extend through suitable openings in the flanges 28, as indicated in FIG. 3.

The base sections 22 (FIGS. 2 and 7) each include an internal framework 30 carrying outer shell 31 having a bottom 32, a top 33, and side walls 34. The top and bottom are connected with an inner collar 36 that forms a well through which the pile section 23 of the column extends. The searns of the shell are all suitably connected and the shell is connected with the supporting frame by pressure tight joints whereby the shoe section or base provides a closed chamber 37 to promote buoyancy thereof. Pillar sections of the columns also provide buoyant chambers 38.

The pile sections of the columns also have an elongated tubular wall 39 of smaller diameter than the pillar sections and of a length to penetrate the necessary distance intothe soil of the ocean floor to provide suflicient anchorage for retaining the columns in substantially fixed position after they have been set, as later described. The upper ends of the pile sections connect with the plates 25 to form leaktight joints. The lower end of each pile section converges to provide conical points as (FIG. 2) to facilitate penetration of the pile portions and to accommodate thereon one or more perforated ducts or jet pipes 41 (FIGS. land 2) for discharging jets .of pressure fluid along the length thereof for removing the soil and effecting settlement of the pile sections until the base sections 22 settle into contact with the ocean floor 4.

It is obvious that all of the sections are located in axial alignment, with the main or pillar section projecting from one side of the hollow base section and the pile section from the opposite side, and all the sections are connected together in such relation for placement as a unit.

In order to supplement the action of the jetting fluid :and assist in penetration of the pile sections of they columns, each column is provided with a longitudinal tube or passageway 42 (FIGS 2 and 6), having its lower end fixed to the pointed end of the pile section. The upper end of the tube 42 extends through a side wall of the pillar section, as best shown in FIG. 2, to provide an entrance wherethrough a heavy duty vibrating device 43 is lowered pressure fluid into or releasing pressure fluid from the jack cylinders.

The form of the column illustrated in FIG. 3 is similar to the columns just described, with the exception that the base section thereof is non-buoyant. This type of base comprises a plate 68 that is braced with respect to a central collar or well 69 by gusset plates 70. The end of the pillar section is connected with the plate 68 by bolts '71 into position for vibrating the pointed end of the pile portion of the column. The vibrator is lowered through the passageway by means of a cable 44, which also serves to supply the activating power for the vibrator. If necessary, the tube 42 may have sections 45 thereof composed of rubber to prevent the vibrations from traveling upwardly through the tube (FIG. 3).

Extending transversely across the pointed end of the pile section of the column is a transverse partition 46 (FIG. 2) that closes the lower end ,of a pressure tight chamber 47 that is formed within the pile section and a relatively smaller manifold chamber 48 therebelow .in connection with the jet ducts 41. The pressure or jetting fluid is supplied to the manifold chamber through a duct 49 that extends to .the upper end of the column, where it is connected with a source of pressure supply.

The base section 22 of the vcolumnis connected with the pillar section by means of lugs 50 (FIGS. 2 and '7) projecting radially from the lower end of the pillar section and engaging between upstanding lugs St) on the base portion. The lugs 56) and 50 have registering apertures 51 for containing wedges 52 to key the parts together.

The compartments or chambers 3% formed within'the pillar section of the columns, as well as the compartments 37 formed in the base sections 22, are provided with pumps 53 and 54 (PEG. 2), respectively, that are actuated by motors or the like to remove water from the compartments after they have been flooded to elfectsinking of the columns to a vertical position, as later described, and to remove stored liquids when the chambers are used for storage purposes. The current supply and discharge ducts 55 and 56 extend upwardly through the pillar sections of the columns to a suitable control station on the platform.

Thetelescoping head sections 26 each include a circular wall 5'7 (FIGS. 2 and 3) that slidably fits withinthe upper ends of the pillar sections ,of the columns and which have heads 58 to connect with the platform by means of fastening devices 59. The fastening devices 59 extend through the heads 58 and through clamping plates or dogs 69 that to the cylinders through ducts 67 that lead upwardly to the platform to the control station. The'eifective lengths of the columns may be adjusted to a level by injecting that pass through radially extending ears 72. on the lower end of the pillar section of the column. In this form of the invention, the column is of relatively smaller diameter and may be equipped with a'single hydraulic jack 73. The sections of the columns may be provided with automatic valves, man holes, ladders, and other accessories and fittings that may facilitate placement'of the columns and servicing thereof.

All sections of the columns shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 being hollow and completely buoyant, may be assembled on shore and towed or hauled to the drilling site on barges 29, where the pillar, base, and pile sections are interconnected to form the columns. After assembly the different compartments may be flooded, for example, the compartments in the base sections are flooded to effect sinking thereof and raising of the columns to a vertical position, where the points of the pile sections are in position to be sunk into the soil of the ocean floor. In setting the columns, the pillar sections may be partially flooded to control movement of the columns to perpendicular. As soon as a column is perpendicular, a jetting fluid is delivered mrough the pipe 49 for that column for discharge through the perforated ducts 41 in the form of jets with sufficient force to displace the soil .under the column. A vibrator 4,3 may also be lowered through the passageway 42 and set into operation to vibrate the point of the pile and cooperate with the fluid jets to effect sinking of he pile section until the base section of that pile seatsfirmly on the ocean floor, as shown in FIG. 1. If desired, the various chambers may then be dewatered by actuating the pumps therein to remove the water therefrom, whereby the compartments may be used at a later time, for storage of oil and/or service liquids. The other columns are placed in like manner, after which the adjustable head sections may be adjusted by meansof the hydraulic jacks to bring the endsof the columns into level relation. The platform is erected from the barges 20 and leveled by readjusting head sections of the columns. After finally leveling the circular tracks are placed in position and the drilling jig is mounted thereon, as shown. Other equipment necessary for the drilling operations is installed on the platform as desired. The drilling string, casing, and the like, may be lowered through suitable opening or openings in the platform, over which the derrick is located.

After completion of a well, thedrilling rig may be shifted along the circular track to another position, where a second well may be drilled, and so on around the track.

After completion of the wells, the drilling equipment may be removed. 1

Should it become desirable to move the platform because of the discovery of adry hole, the barges are brought back to facilitate removal of the drilling equipment and disassembly o f-the platform. 'The columns may i then be dewatered by pumping the Water therefrom, after which the vibrators 43 are inserted and operated along the hydraulic jets to effect a loosening of the pile sections of the columns, so that as the columns become buoyant they float to an upright position. By controlling the rate of discharge of the water in thecompartments, the columns may be caused to float to substantially horizontal, when they may be floated away under tow to a new drilling site, where columns are replaced and the platform erected thereon as previously described, and drilling equipment replaced on the platform.

While I have specifically illustrated and described a platform for off shore drilling, it is obvious that the platform is adapted to other uses, such as off shore radio,

The method of setting the supports by means of vibration in cooperation with pressure jets may be used in the setting of other types of columns used in supporting bridges and other types of work.

The platform and columns therefor may be set up as above described for mounting drilling rigs to drill in flooded lands and in swamps.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus for off shore drilling and the like, a platform, hollow columns for supporting the platform, each column comprising a leveling jack at the top of the column, a pile section on the lower end of the column, guide means extending downwardly throughout a central portion of the hollow column into the pile section to the lower end thereof, jet means on the lower end of the pile section, a vibrating means to be lowered through the guide means into a position within the lower end of the pile section to cooperate with the jet means in sinking the pile section, and means for actuating the leveling jack at the top of each column to level the platform.

2. In an apparatus for off shore drilling and the like,

. a platform, hollow columns for supporting the platform,

each column comprising a main section, a leveling jack at the top of the main section, a pile section on the lower end of the main section, a base at the lower end of the main section, guide means extending downwardly throughout a central portion of the column into the pile section to the lower end thereof, jet means on the lower end of the pile section, a vibrating means to be lowered through the guide means into a position within the lower end of the pile section to cooperate with the jet means in sinking the pile section to seat the base, and means for actuating the leveling jack at the upper end of each main section to level the platform when the bases of the columns are in seated position.

3. In an apparatus for off shore drilling and the like, a platform, columns for supporting the platform in level position, each column comprising a main section, a leveling jack at the top of the main section for carrying the platform, a pile section at the lower end of the main section, guide means extending downwardly of the main section and into the pile section, jet means on the lower portion of the pile section for sinking the pile section, a vibrating means to be lowered through the guide means into position within the lower portion of the pile section for cooperating with the jet means in facilitating sinking of the pile section, and means for actuating the leveling jacks of the respective columns when the pile sections are in a set position.

4. In an apparatus for off shore drilling and the like,

6 a platform, hollow columns supporting the platform, each column comprising a main section, a leveling jack at the top of the main section, a base at the lower end of the main section for seating the main section, a pile section on the lower end of the main section and extending through the base, guide means extending downwardly throughout a central portion of the main section and into the pile section to the lower end thereof, jet means on the lower end of the pile section, a vibrating means adapted to be lowered through the guide means into a position within the lower end of the pile section to cooperate with the jet means in sinking the pile section to seat the base,

and means for actuating the leveling jack at the upperend of each column to level the platform when the bases of the columns are in seated position. a

5. A column for supporting a platform and the like on the ocean floor and above the surface of the water, said column including a hollow main section, a hollow base section at the lower end of the main section, and a pile section projecting from the base section, all of said sections being located in axial alignment, with said main section projecting from one side of the hollow base section and the pile section projecting from the opposite side of the base section, and all being connected in rigid relation and adapted to be set as a unit, means for flooding the base section for making the base section heavier than the main section to move the column to a vertical position with the lower end of the pile section in position to penetrate into the ocean floor, guide means extending downwardly of said main section to the lower end of the pile section, jet means on the lower end of the pile section for sinking the pile section, a vibrating means to be lowered through the guide means into position within the lower end of the pile section for cooperating with the jet means in facilitating sinking of the pile section into the ocean floor for bringing the base section into seating position on the ocean floor, and a leveling jack on the upper end of said main section of the column and adapted to be connected with the platform to level the platform when the base section comes to rest on the ocean floor.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

